DENSE BUSH 



large pools near some low hills, and should then follow 

 an old trail which led onwards to the Lorian. With 

 this meagre information I had to be content. The 

 bush soon became exceedingly dense, once more 

 keeping out every breath of air and rendering the 

 atmosphere terribly oppressive. We crossed the 

 river, which was here shallow and much overgrown, 

 and then made our way at a good pace along the 

 right bank, as I had been directed. I was exceedingly 

 grateful when the sun gradually sank lower ; at the 

 same time the bush opened out a little, trees grew 

 more plentiful, and at sunset I had a glimpse of the 

 river bed again — white sand this time, and much 

 deeper than I had previously seen it. The trail 

 which had been growing more and more indistinct 

 now gave out altogether, but I had the river to guide 

 me, so I kept on, though the pace was now reduced 

 to a crawl, for the country was very rough, full of 

 holes and little steep valleys and nullahs. Except 

 for the humidity of the atmosphere it was quite 

 pleasant, the temperature being about 86°. A 

 glorious moon was shining in a clear sky, and its 

 beautiful soft light transformed a desolate and arid 

 scene into one of beauty and of peace. My orderly 

 walked in front carrying a lantern, and I followed 

 him, my mind full of speculations as to what lay 

 before me, and of pleasure because I was the first 

 white man to penetrate this wilderness. 



The hours passed quickly, but towards eleven 

 o'clock I decided to camp in a small open space, as 

 my camels were very tired. My bed was got out, and 

 after a cup of tea I lay down, and it seemed to me 

 that I had hardly gone to sleep before I was awakened 

 once more. After a hurried breakfast of minced 



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